Children's home run by New Forest Care Limited in Southampton

Inspection report children’s home: SC402135 1 SC402135 Registered provider: New Forest Care Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four children. According to the statement of purpose, the home specialises in caring for children who have experienced difficulties in settling in residential care and accessing mainstream education. The organisation has its own separately registered school and own therapy team.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC402135 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Five requirements in respect of effective recruitment, maintaining a stable staff team, risk reduction, care planning and recording of control measures, were made at the last inspection. Recommendations were made in relation to ensuring accessibility of all areas of the home to all children, improving the outdoor areas and ensuring rigorous and impartial judgment by the independent person. At this inspection these requirements and recommendations were judged to have been met. Of note is the significant improvement to the staff team that is now stable and consistent and displays good team working. This has improved both the continuity and quality of care of the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The progress and experience of the children during this inspection period has been mixed, with one child having a sudden, unplanned ending to his placement and immediate move to a new location. The decision taken to end the placement was carefully considered and taken to protect the other children in the home. Efforts to mitigate the sudden loss and change for the child have been made by assisting with the move and a visit by the leadership to make his ending as positive as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two other children in the home have continued to make steady progress in all areas. The planning for a child who recently moved in was careful and thorough and she has settled quickly, with her highest area of associated risk reducing substantially.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recording of incidents of physical restraint has improved and records meet regulatory requirements. The way these are reviewed, however, is lacking in detail and does not sufficiently identify where and how staff practice can be improved and how restraint might be avoided in future similar circumstances.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a notable improvement in the application of the organisation’s new electronic recording system. Plans of care are clearer and more effective in guiding staff in the care and protection of the children and in reflecting the progress that they make.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although there has been some improvement to recruitment practice, leaders and managers have not sufficiently understood and described the qualities that make staff suitable and devised effective ways to test these. During this inspection period, two new members of staff have left following the emergence of unsuitable qualities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leadership of the home has taken steps to improve the arrangements for staff supervision by increasing the number of senior staff who provide supervision. This is Inspection report children’s home: SC402135 3 a recent change and a pattern of regular supervision for all staff has not yet been established. Inspection report children’s home: SC402135 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/06/2019 Full Good 13/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/01/2018 Full Good 15/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC402135 5

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Recommendations

 As set out in regulations 31-33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, the registered person should be clear about what qualities make staff suitable and have effective methods to test for these.

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Recommendations

 Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline, and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59) In particular, the registered person’s review should include lessons to be learned and actions to improve practice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) In particular, supervision should be regular and in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose.

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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.

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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: SC402135 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: New Forest Care Ltd, West Shore House, West Street, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 6AA

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Inspector:

John Pledger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC402135 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.

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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

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