Children's Home run by Phoenix Children’s Homes Limited in Devon

Inspection report children’s home: SC403234 1 SC403234 Registered provider: Phoenix Child Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private provider of education and social care. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2018.

p.1

Inspection date: 17 December 2019

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 17 December 2019

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC403234 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, the manager has had to ask the local authority to move both young people, at different times, to other homes for safety reasons. The manager implemented the admissions procedures thoroughly, considering both young people’s needs and compatibility, but events following this were difficult to predict. However, the manager acknowledges that he and the team have learned from events that have taken place since.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been incidents of aggression and violence, which have led to arrests of a young person, and periods of time when both young people have gone missing at separate times. Staff have taken the necessary action, such as searching for young people, to try to keep them safe. The manager has ensured that young people have had independent return home interviews to try to understand why they went missing. Staff have used physical intervention on eight occasions and only when absolutely necessary. Afterwards, young people’s views are sought and staff are debriefed effectively. The manager and senior have reviewed practice with the team regularly.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment has improved and is frequently maintained so that it is homely. Safety checks have taken place with the regularity required, but the supporting documentation does not refer to the need to test smoke alarms even though, in practice, the manager does these checks.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff monitor young people’s targets and achievements more effectively. Some written guidance and planning documentation are more precise but there is still duplication, which gives room for confusion. Although improvements have been made in some areas, the manager needs to escalate and resolve outstanding queries or issues of concern for young people in relation to health, education and youth justice intervention.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It is noted that, despite the negative outcome for the young person who is about to leave the home, there have been some successes. These include, notably, the young person engaging in school full-time for nearly one term after a gap of two and a half years and acknowledging a need for help and requesting counselling.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team members feel supported by their manager. Staff have received effective and relevant training. A social worker spoken to during the inspection was impressed with the support given to the young person and said, ‘I can’t fault the team, the staff have gone the extra mile.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC403234 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/06/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/11/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC403234 4

p.3

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.4

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs; if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (b)(c)(d)) 31/01/2020

p.4

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— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(h)) In particular:  ensure that documentation in relation to planning for young people and guidance for staff is specific, easy to follow and not duplicated  review fire, health and safety documentation to ensure that all necessary checks are included to remind staff of what needs to be done, so this can be monitored thoroughly. 31/01/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC403234 5

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.5

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC403234 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Child Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Phoenix Learning and Care Limited, First Floor, Rolle Quay House, Rolle Quay, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1JE

p.6

Inspector

Sarah Canto, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC403234 7 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.

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