Children's Home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited in West Berkshire

Assurance visit report: SC011185 1 SC011185

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned children’s home provides care for up to seven young people. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for young people with complex emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties. The home provides a therapeutic approach to care, which can include psychotherapy, art, drama and music therapy.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since October 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 28 January 2020

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Outstanding

p.1

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).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

p.1

Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

p.1

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. Assurance visit report: SC011185 2

p.1

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.

p.2

The care of children

Staff and children enjoy warm, positive relationships that are secure and based on trust. Children confidently approach staff for support and reassurance.

p.2

The care of children

Staff help children to keep in touch with family and people who are important to them. They recognise the challenges that sometimes come with visits home and make themselves available to offer added support. For example, carrying out a welfare call to ensure that the child is coping with the visit.

p.2

The care of children

Children’s social, physical and health needs are well known. Staff take children to health appointments when needed rather than waiting for key workers to do this. Staff promote activities such as swimming, walking and table tennis to ensure that children keep fit and healthy.

p.2

The care of children

Staff show a good understanding of education and children receive support with this. There is a positive link between the home and education providers to promote clear and consistent messaging around expectations. Education does not stop at school, it continues in the home through the learning of social and independence skills. In addition, children receive one-to-one support from the education liaison worker to supplement their learning, and this continued throughout the recent COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

p.2

The care of children

The home has a therapeutic ethos. Children have access to a range of therapies and staff support them to attend sessions. Where children do not feel able to access therapy externally, therapists attend the home. This ensures that children do not miss out and receive opportunities for further development.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff understand how to manage risk and keep children safe. Detailed assessments of risk enable staff to work with them confidently. Matching of children to the home is clear and transitions to the home are effective.

p.2

The safety of children

The positive relationships between staff and children, and this understanding of risk, has meant that children very rarely go missing from the home. An effective missing from care process is in place and staff show an understanding of this process.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff feel prepared and supported to manage challenging behaviours effectively. They understand the needs of the children and know their triggers and how to respond. Boundaries are in place and the children respect them. They have been involved in the home’s development plan, helping them to be more invested in the home. Assurance visit report: SC011185 3 Staff understand the potential impact of abuse and neglect and respond to keep children safe and protected. They know how this can manifest and support each other in working to support children.

p.2

The safety of children

Parents, social workers, and other professionals report feeling confident in the home and how they keep children safe. They report positively on the progress that children make in this home.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager has been in post since October 2020 and there is also a new leadership team. However, they work well together and responded at once to issues relating to communication and information technology raised by social workers.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager and staff constantly review all children’s plans. Plans were in place with clear actions in relation to what would happen as the lockdown eased. For example, children returning to school gradually in a small group.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Strong relationships with partner agencies have continued throughout the COVID-19 restrictions. For example, with the neighbourhood police and the designated officer who are available to give support and advice. The manager is responsive and made positive changes following feedback from local authority workers.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision. They have annual reviews of their work and targets are set to meet their development needs. New staff receive clear and well- structured inductions. Staff have access to training that will meet their identified needs while also receiving training to meet the specific needs of individual children.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff said that they support each other. They have been working as a ‘bubble’ throughout the restrictions which means that they get to know each other and what their needs are.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The recommendation made at the last inspection has been met. As a result, there is a new format for recording the administration of medicine that allows space to show where a dose has not been administered.

p.3

Leaders and managers

No requirements or recommendations were made following this visit. Assurance visit report: SC011185 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Calcot Services for Children Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Brewery Court, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5AJ

p.4

Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC011185 5 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.4

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 .

p.5

Inspector

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 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.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5