Children's home run by What's Out There Limited

Assurance visit report: SC465120 1 SC465120

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to care for up to three children who may have some emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 11 September 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Assurance visit report: SC465120 2 Children enjoy positive, strong relationships with the staff, who know them well. Relationships are built on honesty and mutual respect. Staff provide nurture and warmth to children and hugs are commonplace.

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The care of children

Children are making good progress across most aspects of their lives. For example, in education, one has completed GCSEs and is now studying for A levels. Another, who has not accessed education for several months, is completing work at home. Managers are advocating for an appropriate school.

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The care of children

Children make decisions about their home. One of the children recently sat on an interview panel for a new member of staff. They dressed for the occasion and presented questions they had prepared. This approach provides children with a sense of belonging.

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The care of children

The proactive approach to COVID-19 has reduced risks for children and the staff. Staff understand COVID-19 processes and implement safety measures well. Innovative approaches have supported children to have continued contact with their families. For example, one of the children enjoys weekly baking with their family via Zoom.

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The safety of children

Children feel safe living in this home. When they have worries or concerns, staff work hard to help resolve them. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and act if there are concerns for a child.

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The safety of children

There has been a recent increase in the severity and frequency of incidents of concern. Most incidents are managed well. Staff have the skills to remove risks quickly. There has been one incident when staff restricted a child’s liberty. The manager failed to identify this when they reviewed the incident.

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The safety of children

The system in place to manage medication is not wholly effective. As a result, not all errors are identified and understood. Managers acted during this assurance visit to rectify this problem. This has not had an impact on children.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have created a learning and reflective culture. They access a clinical psychologist who helps staff to implement trauma-informed practice. This ensures that children receive good care.

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Leaders and managers

Staff receive regular and meaningful supervision and good levels of support. Managers are always available and accessible. This makes staff feel valued. One member of staff told the inspector that the managers are ‘amazing’.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers communicate well with other agencies. This ensures that children have access to services and support. Where children cannot access the right Assurance visit report: SC465120 3 help, managers effectively challenge. This ensures that children get the right support when they need it the most.

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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

(1) No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. (Regulation 19 (1)) In particular, children’s movement around their home should not be restricted. Any such practice should have adequate management oversight. 30/10/2020

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Requirement Due date

(1) The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)) 30/10/2020

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: What’s Out There Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Karen Payne, Jade Hastings

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Inspector

Tracey Ledder, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC465120 4 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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