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

Inspection report children’s home: SC458812 1 SC458812 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning and Care Holdings Ltd

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Full 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 to one child who is assessed as requiring support with their emotional and/or behavioural needs. The home is operated by a private provider. This provider operates a number of homes in the south west area.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC458812 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2018 Full Good 09/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 01/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC458812 3

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Recommendations

 Many children placed in homes may undergo a difficult transition and what should be simple aspects of their care take on a substantial significance in this context. Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive, and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to their behaviour. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) In particular, consider devising a more detailed plan to support staff in managing boundaries for the child, in relation to safe and appropriate use of Wi-Fi, social media and gaming; and review the need for the external lock on the child’s bedroom door.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home provides good care to children who require the most sensitive and intricately planned support due to their high level of need, on a two-to-one staffing basis. Consequently, enabling children to trust staff is vital and the team works tirelessly to try to achieve this. The team has forged strong relationships with children which have had a positive impact on their lives. These connections often continue after children have moved out. A social worker described the team as ‘going the extra mile’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff put all their energies into helping children live safely in the home. Children are helped to be independent, and the manager regularly reviews the levels of staff supervision needed, reducing this when appropriate, to help the child progress and move on to the next stage of their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before a child comes to live in the home, the manager does her utmost to ensure that the home can meet the needs of the child. She makes extensive enquiries with professionals, scrutinises paperwork and goes to see the child, even when timescales are tight and distance is far. Social workers commented on the thoughtful touches that staff make, before a child comes to stay, like getting favourite toiletries and duvet covers for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team communicates effectively with the professionals involved with the child, to make sure that there is a joined-up approach to their care and education. A child has moved into the home in the last week and the manager is in the process of ensuring that the child receives education that meets his needs now, and in the longer term. The team also supports the child to do a variety of interesting activities. Inspection report children’s home: SC458812 4

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

The child living in the home said he feels safe with the staff who care for him. The manager and staff create relationships with children that are physically affectionate, humorous and kind. Staff rarely restrain children; physical intervention has occurred on two occasions since the previous inspection, as a last resort, to keep the child safe. After such action, the manager debriefs staff, considers any learning and speaks to the child to find out their views.

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

The team has gained significant experience in managing complex safeguarding situations since the previous inspection. As a result of this experience, and time spent on reflecting on practice, the staff are more confident, familiar and knowledgeable about how to manage incidents of concern.

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

The team understands the need to maintain boundaries but also to be flexible, where appropriate. Staff are getting to know their new child and how best to respond to him. Before moving in, the child had been significantly failed, as he had not received effective support and education concerning safe and reasonable use of Wi-Fi, social media and gaming. This has impacted negatively on his emotional needs and, therefore, on his behaviour, which is a challenge for staff currently. A plan is in place, but a recommendation is made to cement guidance for staff on how to manage this complex situation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is passionate about providing commitment and a high standard of care for children, no matter how much of a challenge this is. She wants children to have a home where they can trust staff and be trusted, feel cared for and be safe. The manager is clear about what she wants staff to achieve for the child and communicates this effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision for staff is purposeful and well organised. Issues are addressed appropriately. Team meetings discuss the child’s needs and all necessary matters to ensure the smooth running of the home. The staff team has a good skill mix and its members enjoy working together. They feel supported by each other and their manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She is helped to do so by an effective independent visitor, who scrutinises the care given to the children, and makes recommendations on a monthly basis.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Before the child moved in, a lock had been installed on his bedroom door. There is no particular need for this, given that he is not an older child who may have appreciated this privacy. This detracts from an otherwise homely and well-looked-after home. Inspection report children’s home: SC458812 5

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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

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: SC458812 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning and Care Holdings Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rolle Quay, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1JE

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Inspector

Sarah Canto: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC458812 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 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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