Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in Hampshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571846 1

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New Forest Care

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s statement of purpose describes the service as one that will provide short-term placements for children, aged eight to 18, experiencing placement breakdowns, those with emerging complex behaviours, and those at risk from child sexual exploitation, gangs, criminality, at risk in the community or posing a risk to others. In line with their placement plans, children may spend some of their time living in the outreach house and activity centres.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in June 2020 for five children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since September 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place to assess the provider’s progress in meeting the requirements made at the previous monitoring visit on 26 November 2020. This visit was undertaken remotely, in line with COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, many of the written documents have been revised in line with the social care common inspection framework. The children’s pathway plans show well-thought-out planned time frames for children arriving at the home. Clear objectives are set for their journey through the assessment and activity elements of their time, and their move into the main house. As a result, the children experience well planned care.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, changes have been made to the home. Now, each child has their own dedicated bedroom in the main house, regardless of them staying in other parts of the provision, such as the outreach house or an activity centre. Adaptions of the home are continuing and include office space and sleeping-in rooms for staff. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571846 2 A new team leader has joined. This is having a positive impact on the staff who describe feeling as ‘one team’ and being ‘well supported’. Handover and communication between the teams have been improved by a new system. The staff report that this has improved communication. The teams working more cohesively has resulted in greater consistency of care for the children.

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This monitoring visit

The activity-based learning is now accredited with education awards. This enables the children to build education credits through their achievements of activity-based learning. An education plan, linked to care plan targets, sets out clear objectives and builds in reflections on learning being achieved or adaptions if the session is not met.

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This monitoring visit

Staff training is largely on track. For some courses such as physical restraint, COVID- 19 has caused delays. However, the two staff requiring this training have a date booked in. The manager has also made use of team meetings to deliver training specific to the needs of the children. The manager has a clear plan in place to achieve his level five qualification and receives monthly updates for staff who are working towards the level three diploma.

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This monitoring visit

Location reviews have been reviewed for both premises. Consultation with relevant local stakeholders has taken place in order to provide a comprehensive assessment of both locations. Risks are clearly outlined, and strategies are in place to reduce identified risks. Fire drills have taken place in both locations. Children described the safety arrangements, having become familiar with them. As a result, the fire and safety arrangements have improved.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is currently applying to be registered with Ofsted. He has reviewed the home’s statement of purpose so that the staff are familiar with its revised contents. Staff are clear about how they deliver care in line with the objectives in their day-to- day work. A great deal of work has taken place since the last inspection to bring about the improvements highlighted in that report. All of the previous requirements have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff are working towards reducing the use of restrictive physical intervention. A reduction of the use of prone restraint is evident. However, on one occasion, during a lengthy incident, the manager failed to suitably review the duration of a prone restraint. This omission highlights that further improvement is still required, particularly in respect of using high-risk strategies.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571846 3

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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

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (3)(a)(v)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This refers specifically to the staff use of de-escalation techniques and the manager’s evaluation of the effectiveness of each intervention. 09 April 2021

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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. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571846 4

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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

Sarah Olliver, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571846 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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