Children's Home run by T. How Homely Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2599773 1

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T. How Homely Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care and accommodation for up to two children and young people who may have emotional, behavioural and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered in September 2020 and is led by a manager who is registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those it regulates. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring of this home went ahead remotely. Information to inform the monitoring process was obtained through conversations with the manager and staff and through reviewing a range of documents.

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This monitoring visit

The visit was carried out due to concerns raised through notifications, and to ensure the effective safeguarding of children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff understand children’s vulnerabilities and the risks posed to them. Staff take appropriate actions to keep them safe. Incidents of children going missing from care and the risk of exploitation have reduced. One child is making considerable progress and is engaging positively with staff. The other child continues to go missing from the home and risks remain. The manager and staff take appropriate action, in conjunction with partner agencies, to try and affect change to safeguard this child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff help children to access education. This has been particularly successful for one child who is taking part in lessons, although there has been some disruption because Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2599773 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic. A social worker commented that this engagement in education represents a marked improvement for this child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand that children require advice and support to make good decisions regarding their health. The manager and staff utilise the support of partner agencies, in addition to individual key-work sessions with children. This helps children to make better decisions about their health.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured that staff and visitors to the home follow government guidance in relation to COVID-19.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have good morale and are confident in their approaches to the care of children. The staff team, although relatively new, has developed a good team ethos and staff understand that their priority is the safety and welfare of children. Staff say that they receive the training they need to keep children safe. They receive good support from the manager, including regular professional supervision.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is actively recruiting staff as some staffing vacancies remain. The fact that there are staff vacancies is not adversely affecting the children’s care. Staff cover additional shifts as required.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has good oversight of the quality of care provided, including understanding the children’s experiences and monitoring their safety. The manager has developed good systems for quality assurance. Fundamental to these systems is the independent visitor, who provides an accurate assessment of any areas in need of strengthening or improvement. The manager consequently responds to any recommendations. The manager understands the importance of constantly improving standards to help children make good progress.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2599773 3

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Information about this inspection

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

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: T. How Homely Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: T. How Homely Limited, Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 2PW

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Inspector

Phillip Morris, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2599773 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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