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

Inspection report children’s home: 2539305 1 Registered provider: South West Childcare Services

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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 provides accommodation, care and support for one child who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is one of a number of children’s homes provided by a private organisation operating in this 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

Date of last inspection: This is the first inspection since registration

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not applicable Inspection report children’s home: 2539305 2

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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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1)(7)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the report should be provided to HMCI as soon as possible after the visit to enable effective monitoring. 31/01/2020

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The care and support provided is not compromised by the competing needs of other children. Staff are able to focus on the support needs of just one young person.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person moved into this home after several visits. He also spent time with staff and contributed to choosing the decor and furnishings for this new home. The young person gets on well with the staff, and he trusts them to act in his best interests. Importantly, the staff trust the young person to do well and they believe in his abilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since moving in, the young person has made steady and sustained progress. This follows what was a very difficult time for him. The quality of planning and the care and support provided are starting to impact positively and reverse the effects of previous trauma and recent neglect.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

With the support and perseverance of staff, the young person is now re-engaged in education. The improvement in his mental health is such that child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have been able to reduce their support. Engagement in community activities is supporting the young person’s development of friends and social networks. He has also been able to spend more time with his family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Specialist support is sought and provided, where appropriate. The young person’s physical well-being is monitored and supported by a nurse who also arranged up-to-date Inspection report children’s home: 2539305 3 vaccinations and other health checks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults important to the young person visit the home on a regular basis. They describe the young person as being settled and much calmer. The young person is looking forward to Christmas, and plans are in place for two close relations to spend Christmas Day with the young person in the home.

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

The small staff team of three adults understands the young person. Potential risk is identified, documented and reviewed. Staff are able to avoid triggers which cause anxiety or stress to the young person, and this has decreased the number of incidents.

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

Since he moved into this home, there has been just one incident when the young person’s behaviour gave cause for concern. Prior to this placement there had been incidents almost daily.

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

Physical intervention has not been needed to manage behaviour. The young person has not felt the need to run away or demonstrate previously seen dangerous behaviour.

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

Good behaviour is promoted through respect for the young person. Consistency of staffing allows for the implementation of clear boundaries and expectations. The young person feels safe in knowing what to expect and what is expected of him.

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

Recruitment processes support the safety of young people. Staff are clear about how to protect young people from those who may seek to harm them.

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

The home is personalised throughout by the young person. It offers a safe, cosy home close to local facilities and to the young person’s family.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A suitable registered manager is in charge of the home. He has a childcare qualification and is studying to complete a level 5 leadership and management course.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has the confidence of a small staff team and of the young person. He is positive about and proud of the young person’s achievements. Strengths and weaknesses of the home are understood, and a draft development plan is in place. The manager is researching the best format for this plan to encourage continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Good relationships with professional agencies have been established by the manager, and contribute to the progress made by the young person. When services fall below expectations the manager has been quick to challenge and effect change. Inspection report children’s home: 2539305 4 Effective arrangements are in place to support staff. Quality supervision, together with essential and specialist training, promotes understanding of the young person’s needs and develops successful practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Records are well ordered. The young person’s case records reflect his achievements and plans for the future. The young person is consulted prior to plans being produced and his comments are included in documents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Independent visitor monitoring reports contribute to developing the home. However, these reports are not provided to Ofsted quickly enough for inspectors to keep up to date with the home’s functioning.

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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: 2539305 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South West Childcare Services

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector(s)

Janice Hawtin, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2539305 6 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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

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