Children's Home run by 3 Dimensions Care Limited in Somerset

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC060758 1 SC060758

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3 Dimensions Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The statement of purpose describes the home as ‘providing support and care for children who have suffered developmental trauma, neglect and abuse during their early life, which has caused attachment difficulties, and for children with special educational needs (SEND), including autism’.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has managed his home since August 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 28 and 29 January 2021

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed using a blended approach of on-site and off-site activity. A visit to the home was undertaken to engage with the three children. Documents were provided using e-mail correspondence, and discussion with stakeholders took part via telephone calls and video links.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit we monitored the quality of care provided to children. Behaviour management practice and the use of physical interventions was also a focus, alongside action taken to address shortfalls identified at the last inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted last visited this children’s home on 21 August 2019, when we carried out a full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

A suitably qualified and registered manager is in place. She speaks about the children with passion and sincerity. Shortfalls identified at the previous inspection have been fully addressed. Records have improved in content and quality. They now thoroughly detail the needs and experiences of children and their progress.

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This monitoring visit

Care provided meets the complex needs of the children who live in the home. While at their previous homes, some children were excluded from, or refused to attend, Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC060758 2 school. A variety of suitable bespoke education options have been made available and all children now attend education.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s health and welfare is safeguarded. The environment is tailored and personalised to meet the needs of the children. Care planning is thorough and regularly reviewed. The focus on understanding behaviour, clear boundaries and communicating effectively with children is key to helping them build relationships with staff, understand their feelings and feel safe. Professional stakeholders and family members are positive about the care provided and can readily discuss the progress made by the children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff receive appropriate support and supervision from trusted, approachable managers. Specialist, specific training also equips the staff to provide effectively for the children. Expert support is available to children and also provides consultation opportunities for staff. Regular support from several agencies helps inform practice. These include a speech and language therapist, behavioural specialist, a play therapist and a psychologist.

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This monitoring visit

Physical intervention is used to keep children safe when they become a danger to themselves or others. The frequency of these interventions is reducing over time. Following each event, there are opportunities to discuss incidents and see if anything could have been done differently. This reflection informs future practice.

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This monitoring visit

The independent visitor has not visited the home in person for several months. Monitoring has been completed virtually without any observation, consultation or feedback from children. This does not offer independent assurance or effective monitoring of children’s welfare or safety.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/08/2019 Full Good 04/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 19/06/2018 Full Good 03/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC060758 3

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Recommendation

 The registered provider should ensure that the independent person they appoint has the skills and understanding necessary to: - relate to children in a home’s care; - assess all relevant information; and - form an impartial judgement about the quality of the home’s care. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards Page 65 paragraph 15.8)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Inspectors

Janice Hawtin, Social Care Inspector Sharron Escott, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC060758 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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